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D. Nanopoulos

Publications and source records attributed to D. Nanopoulos.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

New constraints on supergravity models from $b\to sγ$

We perform a detailed study of the constraints from $b\to sγ$ on a large class of supergravity models, including generic four-parameter supergravity models, the minimal $SU(5)$ supergravity model, and $SU(5)\times U(1)$ supergravity. For each point in the parameter spaces of these models we obtain a range of $B(b\to sγ)$ values which should conservatively account for the unknown next-to-leading-order QCD corrections. We then classify these points into three categories: ``excluded" points have ranges of $B(b\to sγ)$ which do not overlap with the experimentally allowed range, ``preferred" points have $B(b\to sγ)$ ranges which overlap with the Standard Model prediction, and ``Ok" points are neither ``excluded" nor ``preferred" but may become ``excluded" should new CLEO data be consistent with the Standard Model prediction. In {\em all} cases we observe a strong tendency for the ``preferred" points towards one sign of the Higgs mixing parameter $μ$. For the opposite sign of $μ$ there is an upper bound on $\tanβ$: $\tanβ\lsim25$ in general, and $\tanβ\lsim6$ for the ``preferred" points. We conclude that new CLEO data will provide a decisive test of supergravity models.

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A light stop and its consequences at the Tevatron and LEPII

An interesting prediction of a string-inspired {\em one-parameter} $SU(5)\times U(1)$ supergravity model, is the fact that the lightest member ($\tilde t_1$) of the top-squark doublet $(\tilde t_1,\tilde t_2)$, may be substantially lighter than the top quark. This sparticle ($\tilde t_1$) may be readily pair-produced at the Tevatron and, if $m_{\tilde t_1}\lsim130\GeV$, even be observed at the end of Run IB. Top-squark production may also be an important source of sought-for top-quark signatures in the dilepton and $\ell$+jets channels. Therefore, a re-analysis of the top data sample in the presence of a possibly light top-squark appears necessary before definitive statements concerning the discovery of the top quark can be made. Such a light top-squark is linked with a light supersymmetric spectrum, which can certainly be searched for at the Tevatron through trilepton and squark-gluino searches, and at LEPII through direct $\tilde t_1$ pair-production (for $m_{\tilde t_1}\lsim100\GeV$) and via chargino and Higgs-boson searches.

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Some Physical Aspects of Liouville String Dynamics

We discuss some physical aspects of our Liouville approach to non-critical strings, including the emergence of a microscopic arrow of time, effective field theories as classical ``pointer'' states in theory space, $CPT$ violation and the possible apparent non-conservation of angular momentum. We also review the application of a phenomenological parametrization of this formalism to the neutral kaon system.

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Status of the superworld: from theory to experiment

Review to appear in Progress in Particle and Nuclear Physics. Contents: {1}Introduction}{1} {2}High precision LEP data and convergence of couplings: physics is not Euclidean geometry}{2} {3}Interconnections between the measured quantities due to Unification}{7} {4}The origin of $M_{SUSY}$ and why it should be abandoned: masses and spectra are needed}{13} {5}The new step forward: Supergravity}{21} {6}The SU(5) Supergravity Model}{22} {7}SU(5)xU(1) Supergravity}{32} {8}Detailed calculations for the Tevatron}{47} {9}Detailed calculations for LEP}{48} {10}Detailed calculations for HERA}{53} {11}Detailed calculations for Underground Labs and Underwater facilities}{55} {12}Detailed calculations for indirect experimental detection}{65} {13}The problem of mass and $m_t$}{73} {14}Conclusions}{77}

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Closing the Universe by relaxing the cosmological constant

We propose a string-inspired model which correlates several aspects of particle physics and cosmology. Inspired by the flat directions and the absence of adjoint Higgs representations found in typical string models, we consider a no-scale $SU(5)\times U(1)$ supergravity model. This model entails well determined low-energy phenomenology, such as the value of the neutralino dark matter relic abundance and a negative contribution to the vacuum energy. A positive contribution to the vacuum energy is also typically present in string theory as a consequence of the running of the fundamental constants towards their fixed point values. If these two contributions cancel appropriately, one may end up with a vacuum energy which brings many cosmological observations into better agreement with theoretical expectations. The present abundance of neutralinos would then be fixed. We delineate the regions of parameter space allowed in this scenario, and study the ensuing predictions for the sparticle and Higgs-boson masses in this model.

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The top-quark mass in SU(5)xU(1) supergravity

We show that the currently experimentally preferred values of the top-quark mass (\ie, $130\lsim m_t\lsim180\GeV$) are naturally understood in the context of string models, where the top-quark Yukawa coupling at the string scale is generically given by $λ_t={\cal O}(g)$, with $g$ the unified gauge coupling. A detailed study of the Yukawa sector of $SU(5)\times U(1)$ supergravity shows that the ratio of the bottom-quark to tau-lepton Yukawa couplings at the string scale is required to be in the range $0.7\lsimλ_b/λ_τ\lsim1$, depending on the values of $m_t$ and $m_b$. This result is consistent with $SU(5)\times U(1)$ symmetry, which does {\em not} require the equality of these Yukawa couplings in the unbroken symmetry phase of the theory. As a means of possibly predicting the value of $m_t$, we propose a procedure whereby the size of the allowed parameter space is determined as a function of $m_t$, since all sparticle and Higgs-boson masses and couplings depend non-trivially on $m_t$. At present, no significant preference for particular values of $m_t$ in $SU(5)\times U(1)$ supergravity is observed, except that high-precision LEP data requires $m_t\lsim180\GeV$.

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Experimental aspects of SU(5)xU(1) supergravity

We study various aspects of $SU(5)\times U(1)$ supergravity as they relate to the experimental verification or falsification of this model. We consider two string-inspired, universal, one-parameter, no-scale soft-supersymmetry-breaking scenarios, driven by the $F$-terms of the moduli and dilaton fields. The model is described in terms of the supersymmetry mass scale (\ie, the chargino mass $m_{χ^\pm_1}$), $\tanβ$, and the top-quark mass. We first determine the combined effect on the parameter space of all presently available direct and indirect experimental constraints, including the LEP lower bounds on sparticle and Higgs-boson masses, the $b\to sγ$ rate, the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, the high-precision electroweak parameters $ε_1,ε_b$ (which imply $m_t\lsim180\GeV$), and the muon fluxes in underground detectors (neutrino telescopes). For the still-allowed points in $(m_{χ^\pm_1},\tanβ)$ parameter space, we re-evaluate the experimental situation at the Tevatron, LEPII, and HERA. In the 1994 run, the Tevatron could probe chargino masses as high as 100 GeV. At LEPII the parameter space could be explored with probes of different resolutions: Higgs boson searches, selectron searches, and chargino searches. Moreover, for $m_t\lsim150\GeV$, these Higgs-boson searches could explore all of the allowed parameter space with $\sqrt{s}\lsim210\GeV$.

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First Constraints on SU(5)xU(1) Supergravity from Trilepton Searches at the Tevatron

We present the first constraints on the parameter space of $SU(5)\times U(1)$ supergravity (in both no-scale and dilaton scenarios) which arise from the recently announced limits on trilepton searches at the Tevatron. The trilepton rate has been calculated for those points in parameter space which satisfy not only the minimal theoretical and experimental LEP constraints, but also the {\em combined} effect of the following indirect experimental constraints: (i) the CLEO limits on the $b\to sγ$ rate, (ii) the long-standing limit on the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, (iii) the non-observation of anomalous muon fluxes in underground detectors (``neutrino telescopes"), and (iv) the electroweak LEP high-precision measurements in the form of the $ε_{1},ε_b$ parameters. For $m_t=150\GeV$, the trilepton constraint rules out some regions of parameter space with chargino masses as high as $m_{χ^\pm_1}\approx105\GeV$, although it is not possible to establish a new absolute lower bound on the chargino mass. For $m_t=170\GeV$, the simultaneous imposition of {\em all} of the above constraints excludes the dilaton scenario completely, and leaves only a few allowed points in parameter space in the no-scale scenario (with $m_{\tilde q}\approx m_{\tilde g}\lsim285\GeV$). The five-fold increase in integrated luminosity expected in the upcoming Tevatron run should probe some regions of parameter space with chargino masses much beyond the reach of LEPII.

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A Liouville String Approach to Microscopic Time and Cosmology

In the non-critical string framework that we have proposed recently, the time $t$ is identified with a dynamical local renormalization group scale, the Liouville mode, and behaves as a statistical evolution parameter, flowing irreversibly from an infrared fixed point - which we conjecture to be a topological string phase - to an ultraviolet one - which corresponds to a static critical string vacuum. When applied to a toy two-dimensional model of space-time singularities, this formalism yields an apparent renormalization of the velocity of light, and a $t$-dependent form of the uncertainty relation for position and momentum of a test string. We speculate within this framework on a stringy alternative to conventional field-theoretical inflation, and the decay towards zero of the cosmological constant in a maximally-symmetric space.

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A Layman's guide to SUSY GUTs

The determination of the most straightforward evidence for the existence of the Superworld requires a guide for non-experts (especially experimental physicists) for them to make their own judgement on the value of such predictions. For this purpose we review the most basic results of Super-Grand unification in a simple and clear way. We focus the attention on two specific models and their predictions. These two models represent an example of a direct comparison between a traditional unified-theory and a string-inspired approach to the solution of the many open problems of the Standard Model. We emphasize that viable models must satisfy {\em all} available experimental constraints and be as simple as theoretically possible. The two well defined supergravity models, $SU(5)$ and $SU(5)\times U(1)$, can be described in terms of only a few parameters (five and three respectively) instead of the more than twenty needed in the MSSM model, \ie, the Minimal Supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model. A case of special interest is the strict no-scale $SU(5)\times U(1)$ supergravity where all predictions depend on only one parameter (plus the top-quark mass). A general consequence of these analyses is that supersymmetric particles can be at the verge of discovery, lurking around the corner at present and near future facilities. This review should help anyone distinguish between well motivated predictions and predictions based on arbitrary choices of parameters in undefined models.

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"Large $(g-2)_μ$ in SU(5)xU(1) supergravity models"

We compute the supersymmetric contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon within the context of $SU(5)\times U(1)$ supergravity models. The largest possible contributions to $a^{susy}_μ$ occur for the largest allowed values of $\tanβ$ and can easily exceed the present experimentally allowed range, even after the LEP lower bounds on the sparticle masses are imposed. Such $\tanβ$ enhancement implies that $a^{susy}_μ$ can greatly exceed both the electroweak contribution ($\approx1.95\times10^{-9}$) and the present hadronic uncertainty ($\approx\pm1.75\times10^{-9}$). Therefore, the new E821 Brookhaven experiment (with an expected accuracy of $0.4\times10^{-9}$) should explore a large fraction (if not all) of the parameter space of these models, corresponding to slepton, chargino, and squarks masses as high as 200, 300, and 1000 GeV respectively. Moreover, contrary to popular belief, the $a^{susy}_μ$ contribution can have either sign, depending on the sign of the Higgs mixing parameter $μ$: $a^{susy}_μ>0\,(<0)$ for $μ>0$ ($μ<0$). The present $a_μ$ constraint excludes chargino masses in the range $45-120\GeV$ depending on the value of $\tanβ$, although there are no constraints for $\tanβ\lsim8$. We also compute $a^{susy}_τ$ and find $|a^{susy}_τ|\approx(m_τ/m_μ)^2\,|a^{susy}_μ|\lsim10^{-5}$ and briefly comment on its possible observability.

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The strongest experimental constraints on SU(5)xU(1) supergravity models

We consider a class of well motivated string-inspired flipped $SU(5)$ supergravity models which include four supersymmetry breaking scenarios: no-scale, strict no-scale, dilaton, and special dilaton, such that only three parameters are needed to describe all new phenomena $(m_t,\tanβ,m_{\tilde g})$. We show that the LEP precise measurements of the electroweak parameters in the form of the $ε_1$ variable, and the CLEOII allowed range for $\bsg$ are at present the most important experimental constraints on this class of models. For $m_t\gsim155\,(165)\GeV$, the $ε_1$ constraint (at 90(95)\%CL) requires the presence of light charginos ($m_{χ^\pm_1}\lsim50-100\GeV$ depending on $m_t$). Since all sparticle masses are proportional to $m_{\tilde g}$, $m_{χ^\pm_1}\lsim100\GeV$ implies: $m_{χ^0_1}\lsim55\GeV$, $m_{χ^0_2}\lsim100\GeV$, $m_{\tilde g}\lsim360\GeV$, $m_{\tilde q}\lsim350\,(365)\GeV$, $m_{\tilde e_R}\lsim80\,(125)\GeV$, $m_{\tilde e_L}\lsim120\,(155)\GeV$, and $m_{\tildeν}\lsim100\,(140)\GeV$ in the no-scale (dilaton) flipped $SU(5)$ supergravity model. The $\bsg$ constraint excludes a significant fraction of the otherwise allowed region in the $(m_{χ^\pm_1},\tanβ)$ plane (irrespective of the magnitude of the chargino mass), while future experimental improvements will result in decisive tests of these models. In light of the $ε_1$ constraint, we conclude that the outlook for chargino and selectron detection at LEPII and at HERA is quite favorable in this class of models.

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SU(5)xU(1): a string paradigm of a TOE and its experimental consequences

We present a string-inspired/derived supergravity model based on the flipped $SU(5)\times U(1)$ structure supplemented by a minimal set of additional matter representations such that unification occurs at the string scale ($\sim10^{18}\GeV$). This model is complemented by two string supersymmetry breaking scenaria: the $SU(N,1)$ no-scale supergravity model and a dilaton-induced supersymmetry breaking scenario. Both imply universal soft supersymmetry breaking parameters: $m_0=0, A=0$ and $m_0=\coeff{1}{\sqrt{3}}m_{1/2}, A=-m_{1/2}$ respectively. In either case the models depend on only three parameters: $m_t$, $\tanβ$, and $m_{\tilde g}$. We present a comparative study of the sparticle and Higgs spectra of both models and conclude that even though both can be partially probed at the Tevatron, LEPII, and HERA, a larger fraction of the parameter space of the no-scale model is actually accessible. In both cases there is a more constrained version which allows to determine $\tanβ$ in terms of $m_t,m_{\tilde g}$. In the strict no-scale case we find that the value of $m_t$ determines the sign of $μ$ ($μ>0:\,m_t\lsim135\GeV$, $μ<0:\,m_t\gsim140\GeV$) and whether the lightest Higgs boson mass is above or below $100\GeV$. In the more constrained version of the dilaton scenario, $\tanβ\approx1.4-1.6$ and $m_t\lsim155\GeV$, $61\GeV\lsim m_h\lsim91\GeV$ follow. Thus, continuing Tevatron top-quark searches and LEPI,II Higgs searches could probe this restricted scenario completely.

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The SuperWorlds of SU(5) and SU(5)xU(1): A Critical Assessment and Overview

We present an overview of the simplest supergravity models which enforce radiative breaking of the electroweak symmetry, namely the minimal $SU(5)$ supergravity model and the class of string-inspired/derived supergravity models based on the flipped $SU(5)\times U(1)$ structure supplemented by a minimal set of additional matter representations such that unification occurs at the string scale ($\sim10^{18}\GeV$). These models can be fully parametrized in terms of the top-quark mass, the ratio $\tanβ=v_2/v_1$, and three supersymmetry breaking parameters ($m_{1/2},m_0,A$). The latter are chosen in the minimal $SU(5)$ model such that the stringent constraints from proton decay and cosmology are satisfied. In the flipped $SU(5)$ case we consider two string-inspired supersymmetry breaking scenaria: $SU(N,1)$ no-scale supergravity and a dilaton-induced supersymmetry breaking scenario. Both imply universal soft supersymmetry breaking parameters: $m_0=A=0$ and $m_0=\coeff{1}{\sqrt{3}}m_{1/2}, A=-m_{1/2}$ respectively. We present a comparative study of the sparticle and Higgs spectra of both flipped $SU(5)$ models and the minimal $SU(5)$ model and conclude that all can be partially probed at the Tevatron and LEPII (and the flipped models at HERA too). In both flipped $SU(5)$ cases there is a more constrained version which allows to determine $\tanβ$ in terms of $m_t,m_{\tilde g}$ and which leads to much sharper and readily accessible experimental predictions. We also discuss the prospects for indirect experimental detection: a non-trivial fraction of the parameter space of the flipped $SU(5)$ models is in conflict with the present experimental allowed range for the $b\to sγ$ rare decay mode, and the one-loop electroweak radiative corrections imply the 90\% CL upper bound

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Towards a unified string supergravity model

We present a unified string supergravity model based on a string-derived $SU(5)\times U(1)$ model and a string-inspired supersymmetry breaking scenario triggered by the $F$-term of the universally present dilaton field. This model can be described by three parameters: $m_t$, $\tanβ$, and $m_{\tilde g}$. We work out the predictions for all sparticle and Higgs masses and discuss the prospects for their detection at the Tevatron, LEPI,II, and HERA. We find that the cosmological neutralino relic density is always within current expectations (\ie, $Ω_χh^2_0\lsim0.9$). We also consider a more constrained version of this supersymmetry breaking scenario where the $B$-term is specified. In this case $\tanβ$ can be determined ($\tanβ\approx1.4-1.6$) and implies $m_t\lsim155\GeV$ and $m_h\lsim91\GeV$. Thus, continuing Tevatron top-quark searches and LEPI,II Higgs searches could probe this restricted scenario completely.

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LEP and radiative electroweak breaking close the light gluino window

We show that the LEP lower bound on the chargino mass, in conjunction with the well motivated theoretical requirement of radiative electroweak symmetry breaking, imply an upper bound on the lightest Higgs boson mass ($m_h\lsim62\GeV$) in a supersymmetry breaking scenario where the gluino mass is a few GeV. Moreover, Higgs searches at LEP in the context of this model require $m_h\gsim61\GeV$. The remaining experimentally allowed region in the five-dimensional parameter space of this light gluino model is severely fine-tuned (with $\tanβ=1.88-1.89$ and $m_t=114.0-114.3\GeV$) and cosmologically troublesome (with a neutralino relic abundance over {\it five-hundred times larger than allowed}). Modest improvements in sensitivity in LEP Higgs searches and Tevatron top-quark searches should soon exclude this theoretically disfavored model completely.

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Probing supergravity models with the $b\to sγ$ microscope

We present a calculation of the branching ratio $\brbsg$ in two well motivated supersymmetric models: the minimal $SU(5)$ and the no-scale flipped $SU(5)$ supergravity models. We find that the improved CLEO upper bound ($\brbsg<5.4\times10^{-4}$ at 95\% CL) does not yet constrain the minimal $SU(5)$ supergravity model, where $\brbsg_{minimal}=(2.3-3.6)\times10^{-4}$. In the flipped $SU(5)$ model the CLEO bound is constraining, although still not very significantly, even for light charged Higgs masses. An improvement in sensitivity by a factor of two will probe all (more than half) of the parameter space of the minimal (flipped) $SU(5)$ supergravity model. This ``resolution" of the $\bsg$ microscope far surpasses that of present collider experiments. In the flipped model there exists a significant region of parameter space where $\brbsg$ is highly suppressed due to a new phenomenon involving a complicated cancellation against the QCD correction parameter.

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SUSY signals at HERA in the no-scale flipped SU(5) supergravity model

Sparticle production and detection at HERA are studied within the recently proposed no-scale flipped $SU(5)$ supergravity model. Among the various reaction channels that could lead to sparticle production at HERA, only the following are within its limit of sensitivity in this model: $e^-p\to \tilde e^-_{L,R}χ^0_i+X, \tilde ν_eχ^-_1+X$, where $χ^0_i(i=1,2)$ are the two lightest neutralinos and $χ^-_1$ is the lightest chargino. We study the elastic and deep-inelastic contributions to the cross sections using the Weizsäcker-Williams approximation. We find that the most promising supersymmetric production channel is right-handed selectron ($\tilde e_{R}$) plus first neutralino ($χ^0_1$), with one hard electron and missing energy signature. The $\tildeν_eχ^-_1$ channel leads to comparable rates but also allows jet final states. A right-handedly polarized electron beam at HERA would shut off the latter channel and allow preferentially the former one. With an integrated luminosity of ${\cal L}=100\ipb$, HERA can extend the present LEPI lower bounds on $m_{\tilde e_R}, m_{\tildeν_e},m_{χ^0_1}$ by $\approx25\GeV$, while ${\cal L}=1000\ipb$ will make HERA competitive with LEPII. We also show that the Leading Proton Spectrometer (LPS) at HERA is an excellent supersymmetry detector which can provide indirect information about the sparticle masses by measuring the leading proton longitudinal momentum distribution.

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